“FAQ’s”
Gingivitis is inflammation in the gums due to the accumulation of plaque. In some people this inflammation progresses to destroy the underlying bone on periodontal ligament and then called periodontitis.
Unfortunately, yes. Gum disease is a complex issue with multiple factors that may cause it. If your parents had gum disease, then there is a genetic risk, but smoking or living with diabetes are other reasons.
By the time you have a sore tooth, it is usually quite late in the disease’s progression. Some signs are, bleeding gums after brushing, receding gums and loose teeth. Many people are not aware of any issues and will require a thorough examination to determine their gums’ health.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum, without the destruction of the underlying bone, that leads to periodontitis. It is possible to recover from gingivitis through effective treatments, without any permanent damage.
No, you do not. You may receive a referral, but we welcome you to visit us anytime.
Gum disease requires ongoing maintenance and preventative care to support your teeth and gums, and we specialise in helping you manage that.
Like all dental procedures, Periodontal work is not covered under Medicare; however, many private health funds offer rebates. We are one of the few practices that can claim on your behalf via Hicaps; therefore, we claim directly from your health fund, and you only pay the gap.
No, it does not mean you are guaranteed to get gum disease, although you may have a genetic predisposition. If you have any concerns, please contact us as we would be happy to discuss your specific needs.
No, you do not need to visit a hospital as we care for our patients on-site at our Collins Street Practice. However, if you feel the need to have your treatment completed under General Anesthesia, please discuss this with us.
Yes. We advise our patients to continue to have regular dental appointments to ensure you do not require any fillings due to cavities.
Root Canal Therapy is a routine and predictable way of saving a tooth and should always be considered first-line treatment. However, things do not always work out, and if your tooth needs to be removed, it can be replaced with a dental implant.
Yes, you can. We have helped many people who have suffered from losing a tooth or multiple teeth. However, changes in the bone occur after a tooth has been removed and, you will be referred to have additional x-rays completed to assess the complexity of your case.
What does a dental implant look like?
- A dental implant is a surgical operation that involves fitting a titanium screw into the gum where the tooth’s previous root was. Once the gum has healed, we place a crown onto the screw, resembling a natural-looking tooth.
- What are the benefits of having a dental implant?
- Missing teeth can cause further movement in your mouth and encourage existing teeth to try and fill the gaps of the missing teeth. This can result in further issues with oral care such as misalignment of the mouth, and bite but also recession of the jawline. Having a dental implant restores your bite and mouth alignment, it is a durable, long-lasting solution and looks and feels like your natural tooth.
We know that our periodontitis patients are at a greater risk of getting gum disease (or else you would not need to see us). Unfortunately, this susceptibility cannot be changed, but once we have helped you get on top of things, you will be enrolled in a preventative or maintenance program to ensure your problems don’t return and you keep your teeth for life.